Trash receptacle with retaining mechanism

ABSTRACT

A waste receptacle configured with at least one wall and a bottom defining an interior volume. The waste receptacle has a mechanism for securing a plastic liner inserted into the container thereby preventing the liner from falling into the receptacle during use. The mechanism consists of a spring bracket with a retaining arm operatively connected thereto. The spring bracket biases the retaining arm against an upper rim of the waste receptacle with the liner positioned therebetween.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a receptacle to receive waste, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a waste receptacle, which has a retaining device for securing a plastic liner disposed internally therein proximate to the opening of the waste receptacle.

BACKGROUND

Waste receptacles are commonly found in homes and businesses. They are used to collect wasted and debris temporarily until disposal through municipal sanitation systems can be achieved. Frequently, disposable liners, such as but not limited to plastic trash bags are used to line the waste receptacle to facilitate the ease of removal of the waste and debris contained in the waste receptacle. Further, these liners are used to protect the receptacle from various debris in order to maintain the cleanliness of the receptacle.

Many individuals encounter problems when using the receptacle that is lined with a plastic trash bag. Repeatedly, the weight of the trash in the receptacle or the addition of trash in excess of the capacity of the receptacle causes the liner, or plastic bag, to become detached from the opening of the receptacle. The liner will slip into the receptacle causing the waste contained in the receptacle to contact and soil the receptacle creating an unsanitary condition for the individual charged with removing the waste from the receptacle. In addition, removal of the debris becomes more physically challenging, as the individual can no longer close the plastic bag and lift the bag with waste contained therein out of the receptacle.

Accordingly, there is a need for a waste receptacle that has integrated therewith a retaining device that will temporarily bias a liner, such as but not limited to a plastic trash bag, in close proximity to the opening of the container to facilitate the securing of the plastic bag during the process depositing waste into the receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a waste receptacle that has a plurality of retaining clips circumferentially disposed around the opening of the waste receptacle that will releasably secure a liner while the receptacle is in use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a waste receptacle that is generally cylindrical in shape that includes a retaining ring that is releasably secured to the opening of the waste receptacle allowing a user to place a liner therebetween.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a waste receptacle with a device that can releasably secure a liner proximate to the opening of the waste receptacle that is constructed of metal or plastic.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a waste receptacle with a device that can releasably secure a liner proximate to the opening of the waste receptacle that is easy to use.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of the attachment mechanism of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the attachment mechanism of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the embodiments in FIGS. 1-4 and wherein the various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular FIGS. 1 and 3, there is illustrated a waste receptacle 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

The waste receptacle 100 comprises an outer wall 105 configured in a substantially perpendicular manner. The outer wall 105 is integrally mounted with a bottom 110 and configured therewith to define an interior volume and an opening 120 distally located in respect to the bottom. The outer wall 105 is generally cylindrical in shape and has an interior-facing surface 165 that is substantially lined with a liner 145. The liner 145 is constructed of plastic or other flexible material such as but not limited to a plastic trash bag. Opposite the interior-facing surface 165 of the outer wall 105 is an exterior-facing surface 167. The outer wall 105 and bottom 110 are manufactured from suitable durable material. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the outer wall 105 could be manufactured from plastic, metal, wood or other conventional materials. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer wall 105 could consist of a plurality of walls mounted at required angles to integrally form a storage compartment suitable for receiving objects therein. Further, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the waste receptacle 100 could be manufactured in a plurality of shapes. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the waste receptacle 100 could be manufactured to be oval or rectangular.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, proximate to the opening 120 and circumferentially superposed on the outer wall 105 distal to the bottom 110 is an upper rim 115. The upper rim 115 outwardly extends from the outer wall 105 in a substantially perpendicular manner. The upper rim 115 is integrally molded with the outer wall 105. Contiguous with the upper rim 115 distally located from the outer wall 105, the upper rim wall 117 extends downward from the upper rim 115 to be configured in a substantially parallel manner with respect to the outer wall 105. The upper rim 115 functions as a support for the outward end 147 of the liner 145 upon insertion into the waste receptacle 100.

Referring now to FIG. 3, proximate to the upper rim 115 and mounted to the exterior-facing surface 167 of the outer wall is a retaining clip 130. The retaining clip 130 is secured to the outer wall 105 by conventional methods such as but not limited to mechanical or chemical methods. The retaining clip 130 comprises of a spring bracket 140 with an aperture 142 for receipt therein of a retaining arm 150. The spring bracket 140 is manufactured from a conventional tensioned leaf spring or spring-loaded piano-style hinge. The retaining arm 150 is journaled through the aperture 142. The retaining arm 150 is generally a U-shaped arm having 2 generally parallel rods 170 contiguous with and mounted substantially perpendicular to the connection portion 175 of the retaining arm 150. The first ends of the connection portion 175 of the retaining arm 150 are journaled through the aperture 142 of the spring bracket 140.

The distal portion 152 of the retaining arm is contiguously formed with the parallel rods 170 and inwardly extends to engage with the upper rim 115 when the retaining clip 130 is in its first position. The retaining arm 150 is manufactured from suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal or plastic. The retaining clip 130 is biased in its first position by the spring bracket 140. Surroundably mounted to the distal portion 152 of the retaining arm 150 a cushion 155. The cushion 155 serves to protect the liner 145 from any damage that may occur when the retaining clip 130 is biased against the upper rim 115 with the outward end 147 of the liner 145 therebetween.

The retaining clip 130 is temporarily secured into a second position whereby the distal portion 152 of the retaining arm 150 is rotated away from the upper rim 115. In the second position a user can insert along the interior-facing surface 165 of the waste receptacle 100 a liner 145 and position the outward end 147 of the liner 145 adjacent to the upper rim 115. Upon return to its first position, the retaining clip 130 biases the liner 145 against the upper rim 115 with the retaining arm 150 to secure the liner 145 while the waste receptacle 100 is in use. Although the embodiment in FIG. 1 illustrates four retaining clips 130, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that as few as one retaining clip 130 would be necessary to perform the function suggested herein of the retaining clip 130.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the waste receptacle 200 comprises an outer wall 205 configured in a substantially perpendicular manner. The outer wall 205 is integrally mounted with a bottom 210 and configured therewith to define an interior volume and an opening 220 distally located with respect to the bottom 210. The outer wall 205 is generally cylindrical in shape and has an interior-facing surface 265 that is substantially lined with a liner 255. The liner 255 is constructed of plastic or other flexible material such as but not limited to a plastic trash bag. The outer wall 205 and bottom 210 are manufactured from suitable durable material. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the outer wall 205 could be manufactured from plastic, metal, wood or other conventional materials. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the outer wall 205 could consist of a plurality of walls mounted at required angles to integrally form a storage compartment suitable for receiving objects therein. Further, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the waste receptacle 200 could be manufactured in a plurality of shapes. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the waste receptacle 200 could be manufactured to be oval or rectangular.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 2 and 4, proximate to the opening 220 and circumferentially superposed on the outer wall 205 distal to the bottom 210 is an upper rim 215. The upper rim 215 outwardly extends from the outer wall 205 in a substantially perpendicular manner with respect to the outer wall 205. The upper rim 215 is integrally molded with the outer wall 205. Contiguous with the upper rim 215 distal to the outer wall 205, the upper rim wall 217 extends downward from the upper rim 215 and is configured in a substantially parallel manner with respect to the outer wall 205. The upper rim 215 functions as a support for the outward end 247 of the liner 255 upon insertion into the waste receptacle 200.

Now referring to FIG. 4, superposed to the upper rim 215 and generally circular in shape is the retaining ring 230. The retaining ring 230 is configured to be of sufficient diameter to be releasably secured adjacent to the upper rim 215 of the waste receptacle. Although the retaining ring 230 is illustrated in the embodiment to be circular in shape, those skilled in the art will recognize that the retaining ring 230 could be manufactured in numerous different shapes in order to releasably secure to the shape of the upper rim 215 of the waste receptacle 200. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the retaining ring could be rectangular or oval in shape.

The retaining ring 230 is comprised of an upper wall 270 that is configured in a substantially planar manner. In the first position of the retaining ring 230, the upper wall 270 is superposed to the upper rim 215 of the waste receptacle 200 when the retaining ring 230 is engaged with the waste receptacle. Contiguously mounted with the upper wall 270 and generally perpendicular thereto is a peripheral wall 245. Integrally formed thereon the peripheral wall 245 distal to the upper wall is a keeper 250. The keeper 250 is circumferentially mounted to the peripheral wall 245 distal to the upper wall 270 and is generally knob-shaped. The keeper 250 is designed to engage with the upper rim wall 217 along the outward edge 242 when the retaining ring 230 is placed in its first position. The keeper 250 protrudes inwardly towards the outer wall 205 to bias the retaining ring 230 in the first position and secure the outward end 247 of the liner 255 that is intermediate the retaining ring 230 and the upper rim 215. In order to release the liner 255 from the waste receptacle 200, the user disengages the retaining ring 230 from the waste receptacle 200 thereby placing the retaining ring 230 in its second position.

The retaining ring 230 is manufactured from suitable durable conventional materials. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the retaining ring could be manufactured from plastic, metal or wood. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the retaining ring 230 could be made of plastic that contains a phosphorescent material. This would enable the retaining ring 230 to glow in the dark allowing the user to deposit debris into the waste receptacle without the assistance of artificial or natural light. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that numerous different sizes and colors of the waste receptacle 200 could be utilized and achieve the function suggested herein.

Referring in particular to the drawings submitted herewith, a description of the operation of the waste receptacle 100 is as follows. In use, the user will place the retaining clips 130 in their second position thereby disengaging the retaining arm 150 from the upper rim 117. The user then will insert and substantially dispose adjacent to the interior-facing surface 165 a liner 145. Next, the user positions the outward end 147 of the liner 145 adjacent to the upper rim 115. The retaining clips 130 are then placed in their first position in order to temporarily secure the liner 145, more specifically, the outward end 147, from entering the waste receptacle 100 via the opening while in use. Subsequent to the deposit of debris into the waste receptacle 100, the user positions the retaining clips 130 to their second position allowing the removal of the liner with the debris contained therein.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A waste receptacle comprising: at least one wall and a bottom configured to define an interior volume for receipt of objects therein; an upper rim surrounding an opening defined by said wall, at least one retaining clip, said retaining clip proximate to said upper rim for releasably securing an outward end of a liner adjacent to said upper rim, wherein said liner is in place within the interior volume of said receptacle.
 2. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 1, wherein said retaining clip is attached to the exterior surface of said wall.
 3. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 2, wherein said retaining clip further includes a spring bracket.
 4. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 3, wherein said retaining clip further includes a retaining arm, said retaining arm operatively connected to said spring bracket, said retaining arm having a distal portion that engages with said upper rim when said retaining clip is in its first position.
 5. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 4, wherein said retaining clip has a second position, wherein said distal portion of said retaining arm is disengaged with said upper rim, for allowing said outward end of the liner inserted into the waste receptacle to be placed adjacent to said upper rim.
 6. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 5, wherein said distal portion of said retaining arm has a cushion surroundably mounted thereon for the prevention of damage to said outward end of said liner.
 7. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 6, wherein said waste receptacle is generally circular in shape.
 8. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 7, wherein said receptacle is manufactured from plastic.
 9. A waste receptacle designed for securing at least a portion of a plastic liner to the rim of the receptacle comprising: at least one wall and a bottom configured to define an interior volume for receipt of objects therein; an upper rim integrally mounted to an opening defined by said wall; a retaining device, said retaining device configured to mate with said upper rim of said receptacle for releasably securing at least a portion of the plastic liner to the rim of the receptacle.
 10. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 9, wherein said retaining device is generally circular in shape.
 11. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 10, wherein said retaining ring further includes an upper wall and a peripheral wall configured substantially in an angular manner, said peripheral wall generally extending downward.
 12. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 11, wherein said retaining ring further includes a keeper circumferentially disposed along the downward facing edge of said peripheral wall and generally extending inward, said keeper for biasing said retaining ring against said upper rim.
 13. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 12, wherein said receptacle and said retaining device are constructed of plastic.
 14. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 13, wherein said retaining ring is phosphorescent, allowing said retaining ring to illuminate in low light conditions.
 15. A waste receptacle comprising: a wall configured in substantially circular manner and a bottom integrally mounted to said wall to define an interior volume for receipt of objects therein; an upper rim integrally formed with said wall, said upper rim distal to said bottom, said upper rim surrounding an opening defined by said wall, a plurality of retaining clips, said retaining clips proximate to said upper rim for releasably securing an outward end of a liner adjacent to said upper rim, wherein said liner is in place within the interior volume of said receptacle, said retaining clips equidistantly mounted with respect to each other along the exterior surface of said wall.
 16. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 15, wherein said retaining clips further include a spring bracket and a retaining arm operatively connected thereto, said retaining arm having a first position and a second position.
 17. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 16, wherein said retaining arm further includes a distal portion opposite said spring bracket, said distal portion being engaged with said upper rim of said receptacle in said first position.
 18. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 17, wherein said distal portion of said retaining arm is removed from said upper rim in said second position.
 19. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 18, wherein said distal portion of said retaining arm has a cushion surroundably mounted thereto.
 20. The waste receptacle as recited in claim 19, wherein said receptacle is manufactured from metal. 